strathspey@strathspey.org:1119

SMiskoe

Re: Jean Milligan

Feb. 28, 1995, 5:52 a.m. (Message 1119, in reply to message 1113)

Jim Orr asks for recollections of Miss Milligan so here are 2 of my
favorites.  I first met her on her first trip to the US.  She was tutoring
prospective candidates in Boston and I was a budding dancer not accustomed to
customs other than those in New England.  We took Miss M to a cafeteria in
Harvard Square for lunch and she loaded her plate with mashed potato, vegies,
and other things.  She proceeded to  pile potato on the underside of her
fork, which she had turned over, then with that as a good base, added vegies
and other things, and shoved it all into her mouth.  I watched in fascinated
horror at what was to me a rude display of table manners by such a noted
person.  Only years later did I discover that that was standard technique for
many Europeans.  She thought the cafeteria was pretty neat.  Years later I
had the pleasure of playing for her at candidate exams.  A slim, 30th,
competent fellow was being examined, and as he went back and forth and up and
down the rows of stoges she commented to the other person at the table on how
well his kilt fitted and what a good swing it had.  Sort of the equivalent,
in a genteel way, of 'Nice buns."  Never a comment on his teaching abilities.
 Sylvia Miskoe